World Cup fans hit traffic delays in Kansas City going to Argentina vs. Algeria
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Traffic was backed up for miles around Arrowhead Stadium and could cause missed kickoffs.
- Some fans abandoned shuttles and rideshares and walked to reach the stadium.
- KC 2026 suspended the regional shuttle system while it tried to restore normal operations.
Ahead of Kansas City’s first World Cup game Tuesday evening, residents and visitors fought traffic and long lines to enter Arrowhead Stadium — raising fears of some fans missing kickoff.
In the lead-up to the highly anticipated matchup between Argentina and Algeria, traffic was backed up for miles along Interstate 70. Those hoping to attend the game described a frantic scene on social media, with some sharing stories of abandoning their rides, including shuttles and rideshares, and walking to the stadium.
It remained unclear by Tuesday evening what, exactly, caused the delay. But, based on those who shared their stories online, the chaotic episode raised a series of questions for local and state officials.
Shortly after 6:30 p.m., local organizer KC 2026 said on its website that it was aware of the delays and was suspending the regional shuttle system, which does not go to the stadium, as it tried to restore normal operations. An update at 8:35 p.m. announced that the regional transit system was back online, but that there were ongoing delays with the airport shuttle.
At 6:55 p.m., the Missouri Department of Transportation, or MoDOT, said on social media that all lanes of I-70 were clear, and traffic cameras showed vehicles moving at a regular pace.
Mayor Quinton Lucas, in a statement to The Star, emphasized the fact that the stadium appeared to be full by the match’s start time.
“Any new set of fans adds a layer of difficulty, but here at kickoff it appears most made it into the venue. I will have more to share after the match,” Lucas said.
After the match ended, traffic was at a standstill around 11 p.m. as buses carried fans away from the stadium. One Kansas City Star reporter said the lines for buses were long, but moving.
‘Damn shame’
Brandon Scott spent nearly two hours driving just 11 miles from Lee’s Summit to the stadium.
Well, except he didn’t make it the last mile.
After his car sat stationary in the traffic backup, he parked and abandoned his vehicle off the side of Raytown Road, south of the stadium. Along with his wife and kids, he walked the final 1.3 miles to the stadium.
Scott, whose family has held Chiefs season tickets for more than a half-century, said his usual path to the stadium was inaccessible.
“Welcome to Chaos City, Misery,” one stadium worker told a Star reporter. The worker said it took hours to travel the last few miles in the early afternoon.
Meanwhile, an elevator operator at Arrowhead Stadium said she left the bus at Blue Ridge Cutoff and walked to the stadium so she wouldn’t be late. That was at 2:30 p.m.
Missouri Rep. Mark Sharp, a Kansas City Democrat, said it was a “damn shame” that fans were delayed getting into the stadium. Sharp, who is running for city council next year, said he would talk with MoDOT officials on Wednesday to figure out what caused the delay.
“I’m stunned from that news,” he said. “I’m still trying to figure out what exactly happened.”
‘The slowest line’
One Kansas City Star reporter boarded the shuttle to the bus shortly after 5 p.m. and still did not get to the stadium until around 6:40. Another said he had circled his car in the area for 3 hours trying to get into the parking lot.
“Eighty-five degrees outside… crowd mashed into steel fences… people passing out from the heat… and the slowest lines I’ve ever witnessed at any professional sports experience,” one Facebook user, Josh Baxter, posted in a World Cup group.
The much-anticipated game began at 8 p.m., in a stadium with a capacity of more 69,000. Most fans had spent hundreds of dollars on their tickets in what was expected to be a major moment for Kansas City on the world stage.
Capt. Jake Becchina, a spokesperson with the Kansas City Police Department, said he hadn’t been notified of any crashes in that area.
“I heard from people that described the entry into stadium parking was slower than an average Chief’s game,” Becchina said in an email. “Also it was at the end of rush hour time.”
U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, a Kansas Democrat, is co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional FIFA World Cup 2026 Caucus. She played a role in securing $100 million to help transit agencies prepare for the influx of fans. In a celebratory press release from January, Davids said the investment “ensures fans can get to every match safely and efficiently.”
In Kansas City, at least, that promised efficiency has yet to be realized. Davids did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday evening.
If you have a story to share about the World Cup, email tips@kcstar.com.
The Star’s Vahe Gregorian and Pete Grathoff contributed to this report.
This story was originally published June 16, 2026 at 7:27 PM with the headline "World Cup fans hit traffic delays in Kansas City going to Argentina vs. Algeria."
